I was reading a post here about "pets" and many of you commented how pets help with depression. So, yesterday I went to a pet store and bought fishes (guppies) in the hope that my situation would improve. It turns out that this is making my situation worst than I thought.
I had the tank set up and everything - the staff told me I need this and that...and the whole set-up cost $150 AUD including, 2 fishes, a water conditioner, dechlorinate agent, pump, filter, heater , water test kit etc. I was shocked about the price tag, I never really sat down with a pen and paper to work out the overall cost. I wished I did though.

When I arrived home from the pet store, one of the fish died inside the plastic bag. I felt really awkward and guilty. I spend the whole night monitoring the other fish to ensure that it was doing okay and read articles in the internet about guppies.

Today the tank looked cloudy, and the fish looked restless. My panicking and anxiety level is back again. I knew I shouldn't have bought fishes...so much work and worries...not to mentioned, water and electricity bills. Most importantly, when I see something dies, it just makes me so upset and guilty.

I had plans to save up money at the start of the year, by it seems I've completely forgotten about this plan.


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Maybe it's winter here in AUstralia - I was so full of life in Spring and Summer. Probably the weather has gotten into me...really can't wait for Spring to arrive.

I had a fish die on the way home and the store replaced him. But they are work and not much fun..... and cleaning the tank is nasty......I am a dog person. You can interact with them, go for a run, etc.

I have had many pets and an aquarium isn't that bad. It takes about 4 weeks for the water to season and after that you can get some interestig fish. Most of the time you only have to do a partial water change once a week, change the filter once in a while and that is all the cleaning you need. We have had swordtails actually mate and produce little ones. It can be an interesting and relaxing hobby. Talk to the pet store about the fish that died. It helps to get your fish from a store that deals in fish more than other things. Hope this helps you feel better about your choice. Godbless:angel:

Fish are not easy for beginners. I've had fish before and they wound up dying very quickly. They are just not the right pet for me....

I can also kill plants with no effort--even plastic ones!!!:D

If you want a pet that will cheer you up, you can't go wrong with a parakeet. They are very hardy birds and can live more than 10 years. They are not needy birds and as long as you give them new toys every now and then, they will do very well keeping themselves occupied. Perfect if you work long hours. They like to have the TV or radio going also (just for a little background noise while you aren't home).

I never had much luck with fish. Running a tank can be rather complicated. When my mom was keeping fish and small birds as pets there were contstant deaths in her home. She was always upset. I told her to get something more substantial. I went out and got her a small, but sturdy, dog. That dog is the love of her life and has lifted many down moods.

Check out a dog or cat instead. You'll have a loyal companion for the next fifteen years. They use them in nursing homes for good reason. Touch. We never had any luck with fish.

I actually found a fish tank to be very relaxing and a lot of fun too. I will give ya a few tips that I use when setting up a tank. First set the tank up and fill it with the H2O and it the water circulate through the filter. The time varies on who you ask and I have heard as long as a week. I usually will add according to the package this stuff that takes the harmful minerals out of the water. In too high amounts it can kill the fish. When the tank is ready for the fish try and find the community fish those that don't eat each other type fish so that you can have a variety of color if you like. I like Black Mollies myself and they can have a ton of little babies at a time so be watchful for that because the mom or dad will eat them. I usually leave the fish in the bag for about an hour or two before I add them to the tank itself. Fish aren't really hard hard unless you go with tropical fish. That I have no advice on or for. I had a friend who had sharks not the suck fish at the bottom but the bigger scarier kind. Though the tanks he had were handmade and huge.

I have a puppy too and puppies require work to teach them a multitude of things depending on how rambunctious the breed is. We have a Beagle who is very energetic and tries to be dominant. So you have to teach them that they aren't the top of the totem pole so to speak. Any animal you pick there is going to be some work involved even with a snake, spider, roach, bunny, or lizard. It just varies according to their needs and yours.

Deb

Mice are cool pets and low maintenance. They sit in your hand and love to be patted. Get one of those clear plastic domes and watch them scurry through the tunnels and run on the wheel.....You must keep mice separated, though. Sooner or later, they turn on each other.